Ahlstrom launches PFOA-free packaging paper for greasy foods

By Joe Whitworth

- Last updated on GMT

The PFOA-free flexible packaging paper is ideal for greasy food products such as pizza, says Ahlstrom.
The PFOA-free flexible packaging paper is ideal for greasy food products such as pizza, says Ahlstrom.

Related tags Perfluorooctanoic acid Packaging

Ahlstrom has launched a perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)-free flexible packaging paper for greasy food products.

The Coralpack NG range can be used for grease containing food packaging such as biscuits, pastries, coffee beans, pizzas, microwave popcorn, butter and margarine, and take-away food.

The Finland-based firm describes PFOA-free as not containing the chemical below current detection limits of 20 parts per billion (ppb) and it not releasing PFOA or any PFOA precursor.

PFOA present

The firm said to produce grease resistant packaging papers, fluorochemicals are added in the paper production process. However, deriving from the production process of these fluorochemicals, trace amounts of PFOA can be found as an unintended impurity.

It said this development would help its customers stay ahead in the market.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invited manufacturers of fluorochemicals to commit to a 95% reduction of PFOA from their emissions and products no later than 2010 and to eliminate it totally by 2015.

Paper range spans from 32 to 200 grams per square meter and offers high performance paper characteristics such as printability, laminating, extrusion and crimping, said Ahlstrom .

Business restructure

The firm also revealed the financial impact of the planned combination of its Label and Processing business and Munksjö AB on continuing operations, earlier this week.

It described the combination of the business with Munksjö AB through two partial demergers as the "most significant step"​ in the process of refocusing. The transaction enables the focus on its value-added business areas: Building and Energy, Filtration and Food and Medical.

The demergers of the Label and Processing businesses are subject to approvals by the Extraordinary General Meeting on 27 November.

"By refocusing the company we will be better positioned and more agile in serving our customers globally," ​said Jan Lång, president and CEO of Ahlstrom.

"The organizational change we announced recently simplifies our structure, allowing a quicker response to customer needs.

"We believe that our tighter strategic focus and ability to move fast will contribute to our success also in a market environment characterized by increased demand volatility,” ​added Lång.

(*Register here for free access to the first ever online event​ devoted to Operational Efficiency in food and beverage processing on November 29, organized by FoodProductionDaily.com and William Reed Business Media.)

Related topics Processing & Packaging

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